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Pike County Elementary School held its annual United We Stand Veterans Day Program on Thursday morning.

The students honored local veterans, many of whom were teachers, family and friends. For the ceremony, former PCES student and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nicholas Wingard delivered a special message to students.

Before Wingard spoke, PCES students put on a program in honor of the many area veterans who attended the program.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Sadaijah Carter and Hannah Sneed. Kathryn Dennis performed the National Anthem after which Brylee Chance, Grayson Faniel and Paige Hughes read a history of Veterans Day. Jenna Kate Rhodes, Elias Meadows and Tyler Green read a heartfelt thanks to veterans.

Jordan Tillman-Green read a poem to honor veterans and the Sixth Grade Choir, featuring soloists Tyler Green and Lawndan Barley, performed Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to be an American.”

Wingard told students he was 25-years-old when he joined the U.S. Air Force. He said during basic training, the things instilled in him were making the right choice and setting a good example.

“Every choice has a reaction, and every choice has an effect,” Wingard said. “Every choice has a reaction and you choose whether it will be a positive or negative reaction.”

Wingard said in order to make the right choice, people had to be taught what was right and what was wrong.

“I had to be taught how to be a good Wingman, to be a good person and I had to be taught what was right,” Wingard said. “Everything you do today, will shape who you are tomorrow.”

After Wingard’s speech, PCES Principal Rodney Drish presented attending veterans with a certificate showing the student’s appreciation for their service.